Cardiganise

First, design your new opening, including the ratio of old rows to new stitches.

Cut the fabric vertically or diagonally, securing with a line of stitching if required. Pick up stitches parallel to the cut edge and knit a trim, enclosing the cut edge in the process.Repeat on the other side, including buttonholes if desired.

Different stitch patterns could be used within the button placket – think about whether the fabric will lay flat

Consider alternatives to buttons, such as a zip or poppers

Combine with other treatments such as insert pocket or embellish to help the revitalised garment ‘hang together’

Here are some finished projects (click images for more information):

HOW DO I DO IT?

Step 1: cut open

Step 2: pick up stitches through fabric

Step 3: sandwich trim

HOW DO I DESIGN IT?

To ensure your new trim lays flat, you need to pick up stitches at the correct ratio. See the step 2 video above for an example of the chart below being used.

TOP TIPS

Practise the techniques on scrap fabric

Check the position of your opening by sewing a marker thread and trying the garment on

Sample your trim to try out stripes, buttonhole placement and so on

Treat your first attempt as a sample, too – unravel and reknit if you don’t like it

Do the button side of the opening first – you can use that to work out the positions of the buttonholes on the second side

Use the same approach to add a new trim to any opening, such as a new neckline

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. You are free to copy, distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon any of the material on this page, for non-commercial or commercial purposes, as long as you credit Amy Twigger Holroyd/#reknitrevolution and use the same Creative Commons license for your new work. Please go forth and share!

Also, please note that these instructions are in beta mode; feedback is most welcome. Email comments to amy@keepandshare.co.uk.